Xa Tac wordship ceremony held in Hue

The ceremony used to be a national celebration under the Nguyen dynasty in the former royal capital city of Hue, and has been re-enacted since 2008.

Le Te Xa Tac (Worshiping the Genies of Rice and Soil) was one of the most important rituals performed by kings of successive feudal dynasties every spring to pray for abundant crops and peace. The event was held in the early morning of Wednesday, considered the best time to conduct the most important parts of the ritual.

The Xa Tac Worship Platform in Hue City, which was built in 1806 under the reign of King Gia Long, and was restored in 2008, is the only one of its kind that has remained intact in the country, according to Phan Thanh Hải, Director of the Hue Relics Conservation Centre.

"The Xa Tac Worship Ceremony is an opportunity to restore the traditional festivities of the citadel, which is hard to to anywhere else now", Phan Thanh Hai - Director of Hue Relics Conservation Centre - said.

The ceremony has been re-enacted several times since 2008 at the biannual Hue festival with a local actor performing the role of king. Through the event, people pray for happiness and prosperity in life.

"This is also a chance to revive traditional singing forms and accessories used in festivals. This is very important in terms of culture because it helps youngsters understand the traditions of their ancestors", Phan Thanh Hai added.

The Xa Tac Worship Ceremony is held every year to not only restore and preserve the traditional and spiritual rituals of Hue, but also to promote the culture of wet rice civilisation particularly in Vietnam.